New Release Tuesday – 10/30/12

29Oct

The Campaign

When long-term congressman Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) commits a major public gaffe before an upcoming election, a pair of ultra-wealthy CEOs plot to put up a rival candidate and gain influence over their North Carolina district. Their man: naïve Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis), director of the local Tourism Center. At first, Marty appears to be the unlikeliest possible choice but, with the help of his new benefactors’ support, a cutthroat campaign manager and his family’s political connections, he soon becomes a contender who gives the charismatic Cam plenty to worry about. As Election Day closes in, the two are locked in a dead heat, with insults quickly escalating to injury until all they care about is burying each other, in this mud-slinging, back-stabbing, home-wrecking comedy. — (C) Warner Bros. Scott’s Take

I enjoyed The Campaign but I will admit it is pretty uneven. It’s been a while since Will Ferrell has hit my funny bone head on. Still, if you are fans of Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, you will no doubt enjoy The Campaign. Just in time for the upcoming election.

Steve’s Take

I saw The Campaign in the theater and I have to say that I was a little disappointed. I thought the comedy was weak and that is where you would expect the strength of this movie to come from. If you are a fan of both guys, give this one a shot before you buy it – I gave it a shot and they failed me. I wouldn’t vote for either. See what I did there?

Safety Not Guaranteed

From the producers of Little Miss Sunshine – When an unusual classified ad inspires three cynical Seattle magazine employees to look for the story behind it, they discover a mysterious eccentric named Kenneth, a likable but paranoid supermarket clerk, who believes he’s solved the riddle of time travel and intends to depart again soon. Together, they embark on a hilarious, smart, and unexpectedly heartfelt journey that reveals how far believing can take you. — (C) Official Site

Scott’s Take

It isn’t everyday that you find a completely original, small, independent film that thoroughly entertains. Safety Not Guaranteed falls in to that category. Totally engaging, this film will make you laugh, and keep you on your toes until the final frame. Definitely a must see film. Don’t hesitate to seek this one out.

Steve’s Take

I’m not big into independent films unless it is recommended to me. I now consider this to recommended to me by Scotty. Challenge accepted!

Ruby Sparks

Calvin (Dano) is a young novelist who achieved phenomenal success early in his career but is now struggling with his writing – as well as his romantic life. Finally, he makes a breakthrough and creates a character named Ruby who inspires him. When Calvin finds Ruby (Kazan), in the flesh, sitting on his couch about a week later, he is completely flabbergasted that his words have turned into a living, breathing person. — (C) Fox Searchlight

Scott’s Take

See Safety Not Guaranteed. Ruby Sparks is not as good, but a great, original idea that has its moments. Don’t go out and buy it, but a must watch On Demand or Redbox.

Steve’s Take

Soooo yeah…I guess see Safety Not Guaranteed for me as well. Yup…missed this one also.

Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection

The biggest Blu-ray release of the week is also one of the year’s most eagerly anticipated Blu-rays: Universal’s fifteen-film Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection. Barring two reissues in the set – Warner Bros’ North by Northwest disc and Universal’s HD printing of Psycho – The Masterpiece Collection offers a host of new-to-Blu-ray titles from the Master of Suspense, including newly restored versions of Rear Window, Vertigo, and The Birds. For serious film aficionados, this package is of great historical and cinematic import; taken together, the films constitute Hitchcock’s entire body of work for Universal Studios (plus the lone Warner outlier that is North by Northwest).

Scott’s Take

This one is going to set you back about $225 on Amazon, but if you can afford it, look at the films you are getting on Blu-ray. Some GREAT films. Nothing else needs to be said. This set needs no introduction.

Steve’s Take

What an amazing collection! This would be a great holiday gift (yes, I’m learning to be politically correct) for the person in your life that loves Hitchcock. Make sure you care a lot about them and that your relationship is headed in a positive direction, though. $225 is a lot of cheddar!

Rosemary’s Baby

In Roman Polanski’s first American film, adapted from Ira Levin’s horror bestseller, a young wife comes to believe that her offspring is not of this world. Waifish Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow) and her struggling actor husband, Guy (John Cassavetes), move into the Bramford, an old New York City apartment building with an ominous reputation and only elderly residents. Neighbors Roman and Minnie Castevet (Sidney Blackmer and Ruth Gordon) soon come nosing around to welcome the Woodhouses to the building; despite Rosemary’s reservations about their eccentricity and the weird noises that she keeps hearing, Guy starts spending time with the Castevets. Shortly after Guy lands a plum Broadway role, Minnie starts showing up with homemade chocolate mousse for Rosemary. When Rosemary becomes pregnant after a mousse-provoked nightmare of being raped by a beast, the Castevets take a special interest in her welfare. As the sickened Rosemary becomes increasingly isolated, she begins to suspect that the Castevets’ circle is not what it seems. The diabolical truth is revealed only after Rosemary gives birth, and the baby is taken away from her. Polanski’s camerawork and Richard Sylbert’s production design transform the realistic setting (shot on-location in Manhattan’s Dakota apartment building) into a sinister projection of Rosemary’s fears, chillingly locating supernatural horror in the familiar by leaving the most grotesque frights to the viewer’s imagination. This apocalyptic yet darkly comic paranoia about the hallowed institution of childbirth touched a nerve with late-’60s audiences feeling uneasy about traditional norms. Produced by B-horror maestro William Castle, Rosemary’s Baby became a critically praised hit, winning Gordon an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Inspiring a wave of satanic horror from The Exorcist (1973) to The Omen (1976), Rosemary’s Baby helped usher in the genre’s modern era by combining a supernatural story with Alfred Hitchcock’s propensity for finding normality horrific. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

Scott’s Take

When I first saw Rosemary’s Baby, it bothered me for weeks. This is a must own for any true horror fan. Sure it’s old and dated, but in my opinion, Rosemary’s Baby is one of the top 5 horror films ever made. I might even lock my doors, turn off my lights and watch this puppy come Halloween night. Sorry kids, this one is more important than passing out skittles.

Steve’s Take

Great horror flick that I think everyone can agree on. Like Scott said, it is a bit dated, but some of the best horror flicks are. Plus it is Halloween week – take advantage of it. Afterall, Walmart is already shoving Christmas down our throats and has been for week! No offense to anyone that celebrates Christmas. I will now quit while I’m ahead.

Next Week

That’s all we have for this week. The Campaign and Safety Not Guaranteed are the new releases to watch and if you haven’t seen Rosemary’s Baby, be prepared for your neck hairs to stand on end. Next week we have Arthur Christmas, The Pact, They Live, Sweet Home Alabama, Planes,Trains,and Automobiles, and The Muppet Christmas Carol. Have a great week everyone.